Retro games art exhibition Pixel Lust returns for a second time with new levels and even higher scores.

Pixel Lust II will run from March 16 to 29 and will like its predecessor take gamers back in time with a selection of original work by local artists, alongside vintage consoles and retro games.

On display will be everything from the ZX Spectrum to the Philips Videopac G7000, a console partly built in Blackburn.

Gamers can also get a blast from the past with classic titles such as Manic Miner and Donkey Kong or battle it out at a gaming party for the coveted golden joystick.

Gaming inspired crafts such as the Stitch a Sprite workshops will take place at the Blackburn is Open backed event as well as jewellery, electronics and programming workshops. Music event “Beats of Rage II” will include 8-bit DJs and live jazz interpretations of classic video game tunes.

But perhaps most importantly for organiser Alex Martindale the exhibition will featured artwork inspired by computer graphics including paintings, screen prints, graphic illustrations, installations and pixel art.

Alex’s aim: come for the games – stay for the art.

A lot of my friends who are artists from Blackburn have been influenced by this era of video games and I want to explore the link between the games and art,

said the Blackburn based software developer.

He hopes Pixel Lust, which was held for the first time last year and saw over 300 people visit, will stimulate debate.

Video games are the world’s most popular form of home entertainment and since 2012 games have outsold music, DVD and other video formats.

Yet despite this success, video games still aren’t widely considered to be an artistic medium.

Pixel Lust II will also introduce a new element to this year’s event with a focus on making inspired by the hacker movement. Events will include Tech Jam, an opensource electronics event for people wanting to start “home brew” projects as well as an introduction to basic coding for youngsters with Scratch software.

There’s a focus on making stuff at Pixel Lust II,

added Alex.

We’re getting practical with programming and electronics workshops and celebrating technologies such as Minecraft, Arduino and Raspberry Pi, that encourage adults and young people alike to get their hands dirty, but only digitally, of course.